Donald (Don) Schimek, 72

October 23, 2011

Easton – Donald (Don) Schimek, age 72, of Easton, was called to his heavenly home Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, at Methodist Hospital, in Rochester.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Oct. 19, 2011, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) Catholic Church in Easton. Burial was in OLMC Catholic Cemetery, in Barber Township, Faribault County.

Donald William Schimek was born Oct. 1, 1939, the son of Edward and Catherine (Anderson) Schimek, in rural Easton. On April 11, 1964, he was united in holy matrimony to Patricia (Pat) Shanahan at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, in Mapleton.

Don lived a wonderful life with his wife and family on their farm. His favorite pastimes were playing with his grandchildren and sporting events. He enjoyed animals, especially dairy cattle and horses. After retiring from dairy farming in 1999, he took great pleasure in raising and racing harness horses. He was a lifelong member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, served on the OLMC school board, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a board member of the MN Harness Racing Association, past president of the Faribault County DHIA board, and was a former member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. Don served his country in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.

Donald is survived by his loving wife, Pat, of Easton; four children, Mike (Kristin) Schimek, of Mendota Heights, Joan (Paul) Gibson, of Corcoran, Julie (Scott) Morgan, of Mankato, and Dan (Kristine) Schimek, of Eagle Lake; 11 grandchildren, Sarafina, Will, Bennett Schimek; Annika and Julia Gibson; Grace, Alex, and Max Morgan; and Caroline, Jacob and Kate Schimek; one brother, Gene “Skip” (Tricia) Schimek, of Blue Earth; three sisters, Mary Helen (David) O’Rourke, of Wells, Kathleen (Gary) Sonnek, of Mankato, and Marge (Bob) Sonnek, of North Oaks; two brothers-in-law, George (Diane) Shanahan, and John (Deanna) Shanahan, all of Mapleton; along with many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Fr. Dennis Schimek.